Gold
Gold has dominated the world of jewellery for millennia; it is thoroughly intertwined in human history and still has a visceral affect on us when we see and handle gold today.
Due to its malleable and soft nature it is the ideal material to be used in jewellery making and can be crafted into extreme shapes and designs. It never rusts, nor looses its lustre, it is unique in the world of metals as it doesn't react with other elements nor change over time.
Gold Alloys
Gold is used today in a wide variety of alloys defined and categorised by carat. pure unrefined gold is too brittle and soft to be practical for jewellery so it is alloyed to become a lower carat so its more durable and longstanding for jewellery. Pure gold is 24 carat (100% pure gold) and when refined and mixed with other metals like palladium, cooper and nickel is when it changes and becomes a different carat class.
18 carat (75% pure gold 25% other metals) is the favoured alloy in the jewellery world as it still retains a high gold content in the alloy and still retains its bright yellow colour which gold is famous for.
14 carat (58.5% pure gold 41.5% other metals) is a "halfway house" choice for gold, more popular and common in the US and continental Europe, it is a cheaper alternative to 18 carat due to the lower gold content in the alloy.
9 carat (37.5% pure gold and 62.5% other metals) is the least expensive and lowest gold content alloy available on the market today. It is theoretically harder wearing than the higher gold alloys but it does not retain the same gold "look" as the higher alloys. More common and popular in the UK jewellery market.
Caring for your Gold Jewellery
Gold, although never rusts nor loses its colour, still needs looking after. Due to its soft nature it will over time wear out and need repair. So keep an eye on your gold jewellery and if you aren't sure do check with a jeweller who can advise and repair your pieces.
More Information
If you are curious to know more about gold feel free to contact us. To view our latest and new gold pieces follow this link to our shop: https://www.aspire-jewellery.com/collections/gold
